AGRICULTURAL WORKERS

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Agricultural workers constitute by far the largest segment in the unorganised sector and their number according to 1991 Census was 74.6 million. In addition, a significant number, 110.7 million, are listed as cultivators (large, medium and small) of whom approximately 50% belong to the category of small and marginal farmers. Many of these small and marginal farmers on account of utterly deficit, small and uneconomic holdings and low yield work on the land of others. Further, a significant number engaged in livestock, forestry, fishing, orchards and allied activities as well as small and marginal farmers work as agricultural workers in their spare time or in times of difficulty to supplement their meagre incomes.

In spite of the fact that these agricultural workers have such numerical strength, they are extremely vulnerable to exploitation on account of low levels of literacy, lack of awareness, persistent social backwardness and absence of unionisation and other forms of viable organisation. The avenues of stable and durable employment for them have been limited leading to inter-district and inter-state migration in search of better avenues of employment and wages but with a lot of dislocation of family life, dislocation of education of children and numerous other handicaps.

Several measures have been taken to protect the interests of the working class and uplift the condition of agricultural workers. The very first legislation, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 was applied to the agricultural sector also. Subsequently, the Plantation Labour Act, 1951 was enacted to provide certain basic facilities to plantation workers. Many other existing labour laws are applicable or have direct bearing on agricultural labour. The problems of agricultural labourers have been sought to be tackled through Multi-dimensional course of action viz., improvement of infrastructural facilities, diversification to non-farm activities, skill improvement programmes, financial assistance to promote self-employment, optimising the use of land resources etc., through a variety of rural development, employment generation and poverty alleviation programmes. All these efforts have not been able to adequately protect the interests of agricultural workers. This is partly on account of lack of bargaining power. Keeping in view this broad perspective, the Ministry of Labour is contemplating to bring a comprehensive legislation to safe guard the interests of agricultural workers.

The proposed legislation would provide for regulation of the service conditions of agricultural workers and provides for certain welfare measures which include financial assistance in case of death and injury, payment of group insurance premia, health, maternity benefits, old age pension, housing assistance and educational assistance to the children of agricultural workers. Special provision/welfare schemes for women workers prohibiting their employment after sunset, rest shelter with employment of 20 and above female agricultural workers for use of children under the age of six, ensuring payment of equal wages to men and women for same and similar nature of work as required under Equal Remuneration Act, maternity benefits etc. are also provided in the proposed legislation. To meet the expenditure for various welfare measures there is provision for constitution of an Agricultural Workers’ Welfare Fund at the district level to be financed by employers’ contribution and contribution by the workers. The proposal is at the stage of consideration at various levels in the Government. However, Government’s endeavour is to finalise the proposal at the earliest.

For the benefit of the Agriculture workers Government has launched Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojana from 1.7.2001 to provide social secuirity to the agriculture workers.

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